Japan Information and Culture Center, EMBASSY OF JAPAN ON FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF 9/11, PRIME MINISTER KOIZUMI VISITS THE U.S., NOTES “THE SCARS RUN DEEP” Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi marked the anniversary of the terrorist tragedy in the U.S. with visits to Boston and New York, a speech to the U.N., a meeting with President Bush and a visit to Ground Zero. Laying flowers for the victims at the World Trade Center site, Koizumi said, “The scars run deep and the extent of the damage is indeed great. The depth of sorrow shows. We will continue the fight against terrorism.” The Prime Minster elaborated on this point in his speech at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York on September 10th: “I wish again to express my heartfelt sorrow over this terrible loss. After the attack, many Japanese schoolchildren, including those in Tokyo and Okinawa, sent thousands of origami cranes, symbolizing peace, to children in New York. All Japanese deeply hope that the families touched by the tragedy will someday find the pain in their hearts eased, F ALL 2002 and peace in their hearts restored. And I want to express my great admiration to the many courageous heroes of this tragedy from the F firemen and the policemen on the ground, to those brave passengers who CONTENTS fought the terrorists in the air. September 11th destroyed families, and it destroyed our assumptions about how the world operated. It thrust before Prime Minister’s Remarks us basic issues of how to protect our values, our citizens and our He speaks out about terrorism, world prosperity, Asia and the ties that bind. 2 civilized society. With the United States taking a leadership role, the international community united against the terrorist threat. Japan took Concrete Actions Against unprecedented steps of support. We enacted legislation that allowed us Terror 2 to dispatch Japanese self-defense planes for airlift support and self- Foreign Minister Sees defense ships to refuel U.S. and U.K. vessels. Japan and the United Challenges States took the initiative in convening the International Conference on Kawaguchi says personal experiences in the Reconstruction Assistance to Afghanistan, which was held in Tokyo. The U.S. shape her vision of the relationship. 3 battlefield of Afghanistan must be turned into a nation. That is the Viewpoint daunting task we face. In addition, efforts to prevent and resolve “Pacific Overtures” is a timeless musical regional conflicts are very important. The United States has sought to production which author Miyamoto hopes will have audiences thinking carefully promote the peace process in the Middle East. It has also sought to about change in both nations. 4 douse the tension between India and Pakistan. Japan is active in these same areas, assisting reform of the Palestinian Authority and working Educational Reforms with both India and Pakistan to resolve their differences.” (see page 2) Japan has adopted a less-constricting school curriculum to better prepare students for global competition. 6 Beyond Differences The Ashikaga family ruled for 200 years Prime Minister Koizumi and provided Japan with 15 shoguns. 7 holds a bouquet of flowers at the World Sports Explosion; Spirited Trade Center in New Away York City on Sept 10th, A whole new group of competitive sports 2002. (AP Photo/Asahi are catching on; swimming lessons Shimbun, Pool) anyone? The first animated film under Disney’s banner. 8 Japan Now is online! http://www.us.emb-japan.go.jp/jicc/index.htm THE HIGHLIGHTS OF JAPAN’S CONCRETE THE PRIME MINISTER’S CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE REMARKS ANTI-TERROR CAMPAIGN Japan lost 24 of its most talented TERRORISM, DEALING WITH IRAQ people in the 9/11 attacks, and its (Continued from page 1) “The international community active engagement in the fight must stand together to prevent the spread of weapons of against terrorism reflects Japan’s recognition mass destruction. Iraq’s denial of inspection for such that this fight is also its own. An update on the weapons is a great concern to the international community. steps it is taking: The current fight against terrorism has made progress precisely because the international community responded • Based on the Anti-Terrorism Special Measures with solidarity and cooperation. Japan firmly believes that Law passed by the Diet Oct. 29, the Maritime SDF such unity and collaboration should be preserved. We has sent destroyers and supply ships to the Indian must maintain a resolute attitude through repeated Ocean, mainly to provide at-sea refueling for U.S. diplomatic efforts. Iraq must comply with U.N. Security and British ships. The Air Self-Defense Force has Council resolutions. It should allow immediate and also provided airlift support to U.S. forces with C- unconditional U.N. inspection, and it should dispose of 130s and U-4s, and by the end of August had any weapons of mass destruction. Japan will pursue efforts completed 83 missions. in this endeavor together with the United States.” • To coordinate international assistance to support Afghanistan’s reconstruction and international WORLD PROSPERITY, ASIA-PACIFIC conference was held in Tokyo in January and Japan “As the two major economic powers and donors of aid,” he pledged up to $500 million in aid over the next 2.5 noted that the U.S. and Japan bore “a special years (maximum $250 million for the first year). responsibility,” for the prosperity of the global community. Japan has also extended an ODA assistance package To accomplish that, he emphasized that both economies totaling $42 million and has contributed a total of should be on a sound economic footing and explained $143.59 million to assist activities by U.N. agencies Japan’s ongoing structural reforms designed to bolster the and other international organizations for refugees and soundness of its economy. As for regional stability and internally displaced persons. In New York, the Prime prosperity, he spoke about the situation in North Korea and Minister and President Bush together with the the emergence of China as key factors and stressed that his Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia, agreed on a $180 million project for road reconstruction (the Japanese hope was to strengthen economic partnerships in the area, share of the project is $50 million for a highway aiming at the creation of an open community. between Kabul and Kandahar). BONDS OF FRIENDSHIP • As cooperation with neighboring states is Mr. Koizumi noted that not only are Japan-U.S. ties now indispensable for peace, Japan has provided $300 closer than ever, (but) “this excellent relationship was million in grant aid to Pakistan and assistance to built and sustained by many American and Japanese Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. individuals. And the mutual understanding between the • Japan has frozen the assets of those associated with two peoples is deepening…Next year will mark the terrorists including the Taliban and Al Qaeda, targeting 343 individuals and entities. In addition 150th anniversary of Commodore Perry’s arrival in Japan is already a party to all U.N. counter-terrorism Japan, which ended 250 years of Japanese seclusion. conventions and is actively participating in the This marked the beginning of our formal relations,” he drafting of a comprehensive convention on said...“Our two countries have built an exemplary international terrorism and one for the suppression of relationship based on the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty,” nuclear terrorism. one that is “the cornerstone for peace and prosperity not • Japan has also extended technical assistance to only in the Asia Pacific region but the entire world.” He double the number of trainees in immigration-control concluded: “We have come a long way overcoming and aviation security courses organized by the Japan JAPAN many difficulties, and have built a strong bond of International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Japan has NOW friendship. Let us continue to advance together, for our been active, together with the U.S., in facilitating two countries and for the benefit of the world.” international action on counter-terrorism in the G-8, 2 • For a full text of the speech see http://www. the U.N., the ARF, APEC and the Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering and other groups. mofa.go.jp/region/n-america/us/alliance.html stability in this region. In my view, the Japan-U.S. FACING COMMON relationship has never been as close and solid as it is CHALLENGES today. Of course, we should not be complacent. Constant efforts to enhance the credibility of Japan- U.S. security arrangements are required. As our On Sept. 16, Minister for Foreign leaders agreed at Camp David last year, it is also Affairs Yoriko Kawaguchi addressed necessary for our two countries to further engage in the Center for Strategic and strategic dialogue at all levels. It so happens that International Studies in Washington, next year will be the 150th anniversary of the arrival of Commodore Perry in Japan. The year 2004 is the D.C., offering a broad overview of Japanese foreign 150th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of policy. She also spoke at length on her long Peace and Amity between the U.S. and Japan. Let’s personal contact with the United States and why work together to make our partnership and friendship she feels it is so important that the two nations work stronger and more broad-based. Grass-root exchanges together to face the tests of the new, dangerous should be encouraged. Intellectual dialogues should international realities. be promoted. I am sure that CSIS and the Japan Society will continue to be among the most important PERSONAL TIES BUILDS RESPECT players in this regard. I keep coming back to “I have a unique record as a Japanese Foreign America with a different title: first as a high school Minister.